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European Parliament votes to accelerate renewable energy transition

LONDON: On Wednesday the European Parliament voted for a binding 35% renewable energy goal for 2030, in a bid to secure agreement between Member States and accelerate the renewable energy transition.

The new goal agreed by members of the European Parliament (MEPs), was submitted by its Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, and is an increase on the European Commission’s 27% goal proposed at the Energy Council in December.

The bolder Energy Efficiency Directive target will then be presented to member states at upcoming talks, who will need to be persuaded to increase their position. Miguel Arias Cañete, Climate Action and Energy Commissioner for the EU, said the result was positive, and pledged to help secure an “ambitious agreement” in negotiations with members.

The vote follows significant outreach by RE100 and our members, who also wrote to Energy Ministers at the end of last year to call for a more supportive policy framework for renewables.

Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, The Climate Group, said: “The European Parliament’s vote for a binding 35% renewable electricity target is an important step towards ensuring Europe’s long term competitiveness.

“With more than 100 international corporations now committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity through RE100, ambitious market change is well underway – and we urge the members of the European Council to ensure there’s a supportive policy framework.”

MEPs also voted in favor of ramping up the net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050, but this still falls short of the ambition needed to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

A further vote was agreed in favour of members submitting national energy and climate action plans by June 1, 2019, including details of how countries will contribute to the wider Europe target.